Simultaneous/ Sequential

Simultaneous games are the one in which the movement of two players is simultaneous. In the simultaneous move, players do not have known about the move of other players. On the contrary, sequential games are the one in which players are aware of the moves of players who have already adopted a strategy.

However, in sequential games, the players do not have a deep knowledge about the strategies of other players. For example, a player has knowledge that the other player would not use a single strategy, but they are not sure about the number of strategies the other player may use. Simultaneous games are represented in normal form while sequential games are represented in extensive form.

In sequential, they know prior knowledge of the opponents moves but in simultaneous, they don’t. Sequential is more of an extensive game. An extensive game is allowing explicit representation of a number of important aspects, like the sequencing of players’ possible moves, their choices at every decision point, the information each player has about the other player’s moves when he makes a decision, and his payoffs for all possible game outcomes. (Game theory I: Extensive form) Simultaneous is more of a strategy game. A strategy game is in which the players’ uncoerced, and often autonomous decision-making skills have a high significance in determining the outcome. Almost all strategy games require internal decision tree style thinking, and typically very high situational awareness. (admin, 2010)